From Württemberg to the New World: The 400-Year Journey of a Pennsylvania German Family

by Bret A. Matz

This book is one of the most thoroughly researched, well-written family genealogy books that I have read. Mr. Matz connects an accurate account of history with the path of his family, making the writing both informative and interesting. The illustrations serve to enhance the overall story. Thank you for publishing this terrific book
- Orwigsburg Historical Society & Museum

From W rttemberg to the New World explores the history of eleven generations of the Matz family, and each generation has a story to tell. It is a history shared by millions of Americans whose heritage can be traced back to the western German lands, from the Upper to the Lower Rhine regions. Beginning in early seventeenth-century Europe, topics include the Reformation, illegitimate births in the old country, immigration in the 1700s to settlements in eastern Pennsylvania, German immigrant attitudes toward slavery, the Industrial Revolution, American Progress, and Pennsylvania German folk art (fraktur). The Thirty Years' War, the wars of King Louis XIV of France, the French and Indian War, and the Revolutionary War are all an essential part of the story, always told with an emphasis on how these conflicts affected the common people.

While chronicling the Matz family's journey across Pennsylvania, the narrative touches upon the Germantown Settlement, the Palatine community in the Tulpehocken, the early settlers of Schuykill County, the founding of Annville in the Lebanon Valley, educational institutions prior to the establishment of public schools, and the origin of the Lebanon Valley College. In addition to the Matz surname, readers with Ulrich or Stauch (Stough, Stouch) in their family tree may discover their ancestor's immigration story within these pages.

This book combines two of the author's passions: history and art. Dozens of color images, ranging from the German Renaissance and Dutch Golden Age to Pennsylvania folk art, accompany the narrative and were selected with three criteria in mind: one, the artist or artwork has some connection to the old country or Pennsylvania; two, the work is of a high caliber as judged by history and the art community; and three, the subject matter has a direct relationship to the story.
The paintings reproduced in this paperback edition appear less vivid than the originals; select the hardcover edition for high-quality images of the artwork printed in premium color.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CNK5QC13
• ISBN13: 9798865243731
• Release Date: November 2023
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"